A Trial of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Caregivers - A research project evaluating Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for parents of individuals with autism. Presented by York University and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (camh)

What is the research about?

This is a research project evaluating the benefits of Acceptance & Commitment

Therapy (ACT) for parents. ACT seeks to help individuals to struggle less with

difficult things in their lives and mindfully connect with things that are most

important in a way that is loving and respectful. With an introduction to the

concept of ‘mindfulness,’ ACT does not attempt to directly change or stop

unwanted thoughts or feelings, but to develop a new mindful relationship with

those experiences that can free a person up to being open, and to take action

consistent with what they care about. Each workshop is facilitated by a parent of an

individual with autism and a trained clinician.

Who should attend?

• Mothers and fathers of children, youth and adults with autism. Fluency in English is required.

What does participation involve?

Participating involves attending three workshop sessions held in London, Ontario:

Workshop 1:

Friday, April 12, 5:30pm-9:00pm   

Saturday, April 13, 9:00am-4:30pm 

Saturday, May 11, 1:00pm-4:30pm

Workshop 2:

Friday, September 13, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Saturday, September 14, 9:00am-4:30pm

Saturday, October 19, 1:00pm-4:30pm

• You will be randomly allocated to attend either Workshop 1 or Workshop 2.
• As a participant, you will need to attend all three sessions and complete some questionnaires before the workshop, and again three times after that.
• Participation in the workshop is free.

I’m interested! What next?

For more information, please contact Andrea Maughan, at amaughan@yorku.ca.

For more information on ACT workshops, you can check out our short video the : https://www.surreyplace.ca/caring-for-the-caregiver-through-act/

As well as these articles: http://rdcu.be/I6jT & https://bit.ly/2tSUbcZ